Explore and Practice the B7(b9) Chord on Guitar

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B7(b9) (B seventh flat nine) follows the formula 1, 3, 5, b7, b9, so on B it reads B, D#, F#, A and C. It is a dominant seventh with one extra colour, a flat ninth (C), which sits a half step above the root, one octave up.

Between fret 1 and fret 8, this page holds six voicings, and none of them uses an open string. When you improvise over this chord, try the B Phrygian Dominant scale, the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale, which covers all five chord tones.

The fretboard at the top labels every note of each shape, so you can see where B, D# and C fall.

B 7th with flat 9th guitar chord is also written as B7(b9), B7b9 or B7-9.

Notes that compose the B 7(b9) chord:

B D# F# A C

Tones in the Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord:

Formula: 1 3 5 b7 b9

B 7(B9) Guitar Chord Diagrams

Position 1 Barre Movable

Finger Positions

Mute the low E string
Mute the high E string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the D and B strings at the same time
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the A string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 2 of the G string

Position 2 Movable

Finger Positions

Mute the B string
Mute the high E string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the G string
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 6 of the A string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 7 of the low E string
Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 7 of the D string

Position 3 Barre Movable

Finger Positions

Mute the A string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the low E, D and B strings at the same time
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 7 of the high E string

Position 4 Barre Movable

B 7(b9) position 15 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

Mute the low E string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the D and B strings at the same time
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the A string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 2 of the G string
Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 2 of the high E string

Position 5 Movable

B 7(b9) position 16 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

Mute the A string
Mute the B string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the low E string
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 7 of the D string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 8 of the G string
Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 8 of the high E string

Position 6 Movable

B 7(b9) position 17 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

Mute the low E string
Mute the high E string
Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the G string
Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 6 of the A string
Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 7 of the D string
Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 7 of the B string

Find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you prefer a printable pdf, download the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf

Play This Chord With Other Roots

C 7(b9) | D 7(b9) | E 7(b9) | F 7(b9) | G 7(b9) | A 7(b9) | B 7(b9) | C#7(b9) | D#7(b9) | F#7(b9) | G#7(b9) | A#7(b9) | Ab7(b9) | Bb7(b9) | Db7(b9) | Eb7(b9) | Gb7(b9)

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Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher

FAQ

Which five notes form B7(b9)?

B, D#, F#, A and C. The C is the flat ninth, a half step higher than B one octave up, and it sits beside the root in pitch.

How is B7(b9) related to a diminished seventh chord?

Remove the root B and the remaining notes D#, F#, A and C stack in minor thirds, which is a diminished seventh chord. That is why the sound is so tense.

What is the usual resolution of the B seventh flat nine chord?

A dominant chord tends to fall a fifth, so B7(b9) points toward E. Because of the flat ninth, E minor is the most natural landing place.

What scale can I play over B7(b9)?

The B Phrygian Dominant scale, spelled B, C, D#, E, F#, G and A, contains all five chord tones. It is the fifth mode of harmonic minor.

How many ways are there to play B7(b9)?

Six voicings are listed, from the first fret up to the eighth fret. Three of them are barre voicings, and none of them uses open strings.